On This Day in History Sh!t Went Down: Number 2

by James Fell

1

Genres: History, Nonfiction

408 pages, Hardcover

Published September 27, 2022

Reviews

[Sherrie Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

The most common complaint of many people who've read anything by James Fell is the use (or overuse) of profanity. More importantly, the word f4ck, which in my and many other opinions, is the absolute BEST way to convey the specifics in any given story that he writes about. There simply isn't another word out there that makes sense and brings the rest of the story to life.

I've learned about many episodes in our world that I never knew about just because he writes about them. The fact that he punctuates the writing with "to the point" wording and (yes, that sometimes means profanity) keeps the reader engaged is what makes his writing work for me.

If you're at all offended by the use of coarse language, then by all means, don't bother to pick up this book, you'll likely hate everything about it. If you even get very far into it, which most detractors don't.

But...if you love to learn and keep pushing the boundaries of that learning, then this is a MUST have book. The 2nd of two, it's a cornucopia of fascinating information and I can't recommend it enough. My daughter surprised me with this second, SIGNED copy for my birthday this past year and I was just blown away. She knows me, she gets me and, she also loves James Fell!!

[Karen Plummer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another awesome book for James Fell!

This second series of short, sweary historical essays is even better than the first! I have a Masters degree in history and was a career librarian so I have read more academic volumes than I can even remember, many of them written so dryly that they were difficult to get through. So it was a joy to discover Fell's books which open up history to the average person. I have learned so much about women in history that I didn't know and am building a new reading list to follow up on some of the people and events presented.

The writing style is fun and the author doesn't hold back on his opinions about the actions of people who are evil, cruel, or just plain stupid. He calls them out in no uncertain terms and uses more than a few swear words to do so. It doesn't offend me in the slightest! I hope a third volume is in the works. Highly recommended!

[TJ Book Ninja · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rounding up to a 4.5 ⭐'s. This author is from my hometown and I really enjoy his "sweary" History! He has a master's degree in history And although I've read or have known about some of the history, he talks about, the stuff that he can find on every day of the year that he throws into the book is just actually extraordinary. I mean so many historical events happen on every day of the year so he is a lot to choose from. I would really recommend these books, especially to the guys who like to read about their history in a really interesting format. He's bringing out a third book called "Greedy Sexist Racist Bigots - A History of Humanity". I will purchase that for sure.

[Dawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

The sweary historian is back with another year. I loved volume one and this one was also excellent. The only semi complaint I have is there were more details about the history in the first book, but each day does give a great summary and starting point should one want to learn more.

[Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

Superb work, funny and insightful. Well named

[Richard · Rating 1 out of 5]

Number 2 is accurate.

Just like the first, Fell's historical inaccuracies is only surpassed by his four letter word fixation here.

Flush this book out of your reading consideration.

[Anne Whitaker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome book

I love the stories from around the world. I also love the creative insults used for the worst ex-president ever.

[Jane Chora · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the way James Fell writes his history, makes it fun and the pages fly right by. Hilarious and I learn all kinds of interesting facts.

[Robin · Rating 5 out of 5]

These books are great! One page of some interesting, little known bit of history for every day of the year. I can't wait for his next one! And I subscribe to his substack! And he hates trump (my favorite of his alternate names is the Danger Yam!)

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just as good as the first volume- some stories I was familiar with, plenty I wasn't. Very educational, with plenty of cursing for good measure. If Fell made a third volume I'd read it in a heartbeat.

[David V. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yep, it's book number 2!!! Started 3-24-25. Just as fascinating as the first book!! Finished 4-17-25. Another spectacular book by historian James Fell!! Gee, I wonder if there will be a Book Three. It took me a while to read this one as I was trying to read a fiction book at the same time----I got to page 83 of that one and I gave up. Since I didn't finish it, there will be no review of it, or even a mention of it. The Fell book however is easy to talk about. I again learned a lot about these historic events. He starts off the book with hate mail he's received rather than rave reviews. A very courageous act on his part. It shows he can stand up to his critics, and it shows what a---holes his critics are. I hope it encourages him to write even more about world history---the deplorables need all the education they can get.